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About
The Institute
of Political Economy
The Institute of Political Economy was established in January of
1986. IPE is a Utah State University research institute based in
the Department of Political Science and is involved with the active
management of three primary areas: fostering the growth and use
of political economy in basic
policy related research; dissemination
of research results through books, periodicals,
classes, seminars and conferences; and providing
increased opportunities to students interested
in the study of local, state, and nation political and economic
processes.
Policy Research and Analysis
The Institute's efforts in this area are primarily concentrated
on policies and issues affecting western states, although some effort
may also have a national focus. IPE develops ideas through basic
research, exchanges and refines those ideas through various forums
and then disseminates the final product to policy makers, faculty,
students and the general public. In addition, IPE collects and analyzes
the research of others and pools intellectual resources from a variety
of areas, both on and off campus enabling a broad range of topics
to be covered. Recent research topics include a policy analysis
and economic history of the outcomes of the Columbia Basin Project,
a study of interest group behavior and an analysis of the affects
of the now revised, 55MPH speed limit on human fatalities.
Educational Outreach
The research conducted by IPE is disseminated through a variety
of means, whether the forum is an IPE sponsored publication, classes,
seminars or conference, the intention is the same - to provide vitality
to old, new and unanswered areas of public policy discussions. Numerous
publications have been produced by IPE including the scholarly work
of USU faculty and student and other scholars outside of USU.
Student Opportunities
A principal purpose of IPE is to increase student opportunities
at USU. A diverse internship program has been developed in conjunction
with the Political Science Department to provide selected students
exposure to the political processes of city, state, and nation government.
Internships outside of government are also offered, including several
with state and national lobbying organization as well as with issue
oriented think tanks in Washington, D.C.
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